How does step syncing work?

Updated May 12, 2026 Employee

Vantage Fit automatically syncs your steps from your phone or connected wearable. You don't need to do anything manually — but understanding how syncing works helps if your steps seem delayed.

How Steps Sync on iPhone

When What Happens
Every hour (background) Apple Health wakes Vantage Fit to deliver new step data — even if the app is closed
When you open the app Immediate sync from Apple Health
When you return to the app Syncs again (limited to once every 15 seconds to save battery)

Your iPhone counts steps using its built-in motion sensors and stores them in Apple Health. Vantage Fit reads from Apple Health — it doesn't use its own pedometer.

If you have an Apple Watch, Watch step data flows into Apple Health automatically, then into Vantage Fit. You don't need to do anything extra.

How Steps Sync on Android

When What Happens
When you open the app Immediate sync from the connected Android step source, usually Google Fit unless Fitbit or Garmin is connected
Automatic update Android can update in the background when battery settings allow it
Manual sync Tap Sync from the Plus (+) menu

Note: Android battery settings can affect background updates. If your latest steps do not appear right away, open Vantage Fit to refresh.

If your Android phone uses strict battery settings, update permissions for Vantage Fit. See Steps Don't Sync on Android When App is Closed for fixes.

How Fitbit Steps Sync

If you've connected Fitbit, steps update from Fitbit when you open the app and on demand.

How Garmin Steps Sync

Garmin works differently. After your Garmin device syncs to Garmin Connect, Vantage Fit updates automatically. You don't need to open the app for Garmin steps to update.

Note: If your Garmin stops syncing, you may need to reconnect it from Settings → Device Management.

What Gets Synced

Each step sync updates:

  • Daily step total — your total steps for the day
  • Hourly breakdown — steps per hour for trend analysis
  • Calorie estimate — calculated from your steps

Note: Garmin syncs only daily totals — no hourly breakdown is available.

Supported Step Sources

Vantage Fit counts steps from supported apps and devices.

Steps from recognized apps and devices are counted. On Android, Vantage Fit uses Google Fit for the default step path, plus direct Fitbit and Garmin integrations when those devices are connected.

Forcing a Manual Sync

If your steps seem stale:

  1. Open the app (this triggers an immediate sync)
  2. Or tap the Plus (+) button → Sync
  3. Wait 15 seconds before syncing again

Need more help? Contact support from Settings → Help in the app.

Related articles:

Was this article helpful?